DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND IN LABOR AND DELIVERY

Clinical questions often arise suddenly and at odd hours during the in trapartum period. Many questions can be answered immediately by making use of readily available diagnostic ultrasonography. The verification of fetal life, fetal number and fetal presentation, amniotic fluid as sessment and determination of placental location are important in mate rnal-fetal care. Sonographic skills facilitate the performance of cert ain procedures, including external version of the breech fetus, intrap artum twin management and amniocentesis for lung-maturity testing or c ulture in cases of suspected chorioam-nionitis. Sonography can be help ful in the evaluation of possible placental abruption, but management of this condition remains clinical and should not be affected by a neg ative sonographic scan.